Miss A Columnist

Kathy Gorohoff is a woman, mom, runner, yogi and health conscious writer. She is a part-time marketing consultant and a Seattle native. Married with two young girls, ages 9 & 6, Kathy is passionate about her family, their health, traveling and the great outdoors. Kathy's finds writing to be a release and an outlet to learn more about the things she is passionate about. As a family writer she is always exploring ways to help herself and other moms be the best at what they do without losing their sanity or themselves.

Recap: Spree At Alpental Ski Area To Benefit Outdoors For All

For the last nine weeks our family has headed up to our local ski area, Alpental at Snoqualmie Pass. We either head up early Saturday morning or Friday evening (and camp) and enjoy a day of skiing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Photo Credit: Kathy Gorohoff

This past weekend was the last session of lessons for the girls. Each year the end of lessons comes with costumes and festivities all over the mountain. This year we were also able to enjoy a festival sponsored by an amazing organization called Outdoors For All, a national leader and one of the largest nonprofit organizations providing year round instruction in outdoor recreation for people with physical, developmental, and sensory disabilities since 1979. The organization started with fifteen kids with disabilities learning how to ski at The Summit at Snoqualmie ski area (right next to Alpental) and now has been helping people with disabilities to try and learn all sorts of new and exciting outdoor activities like snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, cycling, hiking, river rafting, canoeing and kayaking, day camps, water skiing, rock-climbing, camping and even custom events.

Photo Credit: Kathy Gorohoff

The fundraising event was called Spree at Alpental and the sun was shining bright as everyone was able to demo new skis, zoom down the racecourse and enjoy everything that the mountain had to offer. The focus of the event was to raise money for Outdoors For All, those participating in the event put together teams and were required to raise $1000 per team. Those that participated enjoyed a continental breakfast before skiing, lunch from Red Robin and a beer garden and barbecue after the event. They also get the great feeling of accomplishment knowing that their donations and fundraising will support an amazing organization that is providing such a valuable service to those that may not have the chance to get out into nature. From the event it looks like the raised over $70,000!

Although we were not part of a fundraising team this year, we are looking forward to putting together our team for next year! The event also started some great conversations with our kids; we talked about how Outdoors For All helps people that are not as physically able as others, but just as passionate about getting outside. This definitely resonated with my kids, they were able to understand that all people are unique and learn at different levels, and no matter what level each person is at, everyone loves to be part of nature and it is fun trying something new.

Photo Credit: Kathy Gorohoff

For more information or to learn about how to get involved with Outdoors For All, check this out and to donate click here.